IGNOU BEGC-131 December 2022 Previous Year Question Paper

Q1.Read the following passage and answer the questions given below : Ashoka, was the last major emperor of the Mauryan dynasty of India. Following his successful but bloody conquest of the Kalinga country on the east coast, Ashoka renou nced armed conquest and adopted a policy that he called ‘conquest by dharma’ (i.e., by principles of right conduct). In order to gain wide publicity for his teachings and his work, Ashoka made them known by means of oral announcements and by engravings on rocks and pillars at suitable sites. These inscriptions —the rock edicts and pillar edicts (e.g., the lion capital of the pillar found at Sarnath, which has become India’s national emblem), contain statements regarding his thoughts and actions and provide information on his life and acts. According to his own accounts, Ashoka conquered the Kalinga country in the eighth year of his reign. The sufferings that the war inflicted on the defeated people moved him to such remorse that he renounced armed conquests. It was at this time that he came in touch with Buddhism and adopted it. Under its influence and prompted by his own temperament, he resolved to live according to, and preach, dharma and to serve his subjects and all humanity. Ashoka repeatedly declared tha t he understood dharma to be the energetic practice of the socio - moral virtues of honesty, truthfulness, compassion, mercifulness, benevolence, non - violence, considerate behaviour toward all, non - extravagance, non -acquisitiveness, and non - injury to animals . Toward all religious sects he adopted a policy of respect and guaranteed them full freedom to live according to their own principles. Moreover, he exhorted them to respect the creeds of others, praise the good points of others, and refrain from vehement adverse criticism of the viewpoints of others. To practise dharma actively, Ashoka went out on periodic tours preaching dharma to the rural people and relieving their sufferings. He ordered his high officials to do the same, in addition to attending to the ir normal duties; he exhorted administrative officers to be constantly aware of the joys and sorrows of the common folk and to be prompt and impartial in dispensing justice. A special class of high officers, designated ‘dharma ministers’, was appointed to foster dharma work by the public, relieve suffering wherever found, and look to the special needs of women, and of people inhabiting outlying regions. Among his works of public utility were the founding of hospitals for people and animals, the planting of roadside trees and groves, the digging of wells, and the construction of watering sheds and rest houses. Orders were also issued for preventing cruelty to animals.

(A)

(i) What was the experience that prompted Ashoka to renounce armed conquests ? 2

(ii) What policy did Ashoka adopt after renouncing armed conquest ? 2

(iii) How did Ashoka publicize his thoughts and his message ? 2

(iv) What was Ashoka’s understanding of ‘dharma’ ? 2

(v) What was Ashoka’s attitude towards other religious sects ? 2

(vi) What was the duty assigned to ‘dharma ministers’ ? 2

(vii) What were the works of public utility taken up by Ashoka ? 2

(viii)Give a suitable title to this passage. 1

(B) Use the following words in sentences of your own : 1×5=5

(i) resolved

(ii) benevolence

(iii) adverse

(iv) periodic

(v) refrain

Q2.Match the words /phrases in Column A with their meanings in Column B : 1 × 10 = 10 Column A Column B

(i) Cynosure of all eyes

(a) famous and renowned

(ii) Conservative

(b) huge

(iii) Troupe

(c) impressive

(iv) Striking

(d) orthodox

(v) Eulogise

(e) something that strongly attracts attention

(vi) Primeval

(f) a group of actors working together

(vii) Satire

(g) Praise highly

(viii) Legendary

(h) Ancient (ix) Durable

(i) a literary work which shows the foolishness of some practice in an amusing way (x) Voluminous (j) Long lasting [ 8 ]

Q3.(A) Fill in the blanks/rewrite as directed : 1 × 15 = 15

(i) There hundred students in the class. (Use the correct form of ‘be’)

(ii) A dozen people injured in yesterday’s accident. (Use the correct form of ‘be’)

(iii) your father live in Delhi ? (Complete using either ‘Do’ or ‘Does’)

(iv) the chief guest arrived already ? (Complete using ‘Have’ or ‘Has’)

(v) What we is an intelligent approach to the issue. (Complete using ‘need’ or ‘needs’)

(vi) Even the poorest child has the right to . (Correct form of ‘educate’).

(vii) You may the game if you do not make an effort to play well. (Use ‘lose’ or ‘loose’)

(viii) History us that this was once the royal palace of a great king. (Use the correct form of ‘tell’) (ix) Yesterday, we the ferry from the mainland to the island. (Complete using the correct form of ‘take’) (x) If I were the Health M inister, I spend more money on building hospitals. (Use the correct word to form a conditional sentence) (xi) The teacher encourages students are h ardworking and sincere. (Complete using who, which or that) (xii) You must stop smoking. You will feel better. (Rewrite as a conditional sentence) (xiii) Beautiful dances were performed by the artists during the festival. (Rewrite, changing into active voice) (xiv) The Director called off the meeting. (Rewrite, changing into passive voice) (xv) Himalayas are the highest mountains in Asia. (Complete using the correct article)

Q4.Your friends and you are discussing your favourite hobbies. Write out a dialogue between the two of you in about 250 words where each of you says what makes you interested in these hobbies.

Q5.You have just returned from a vacation in your favourite tourist destination. Write a letter to your friend, describing your vacation.

Q6.You have been invited to make a speech on the topic : 15 College Students in the Community Your speech should be written in around 250 words and should encourage college students to take up social service work in the community. [ 11 ]

Q7.Write an essay ( in about 250 words) on the following topics : 15 “Providing improved health care facilities to all Indians. How can we meet this challenge.”